This year Advent begins on Sunday, November 30th, the Feast of St. Andrew, Jesus’ first disciple. It is a time of great anticipation, joy, and preparation, as we direct our hearts and minds to the celebration of Jesus’ arrival in Bethlehem as a helpless infant. Let us make room in our hearts for the most beautiful celebration of Christmas, remembering the Holy Family and Jesus’ humble birth.
St. Andrew, the brother of St. Peter, carried the Gospel as far as Russia and Poland, and many Traditional Catholics pray his Christmas Novena 15 times a day from Nov. 30 until Christmas Eve. It is piously believed that whosoever prays this novena devoutly, for the entire allotted time, will obtain blessings, favours, and graces, and particularly the grace that we request.
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen
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This statue of the Child Jesus, the Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph is the perfect gift for any Catholic occasion, especially during Advent and Christmastide. With obedience to God being central to Jesus, Mary and Joseph’s family life, their perfect love and sacrifice for one another guided their every action. A focus for devout contemplation, this heart warming statue of the Holy Family will help to develop perfect charity and obedience in ones home. |
This Icon was painted no later than the 12th century. The upper semi-circle depicts God the Father. Both Archangel Gabriel and Mary are gesturing toward the image of Jesus on Mary’s chest. Mary’s gesture is accepting the task of bearing the Son of God. The thread in Her left hand represents Mary having weaved the veil of the Temple in her youth. This is one of the few icons that survived the Mongol invasion of Russia. |
The Magi brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to represent His kingship, to symbolize His divinity and to honor He who came in flesh to give His life as a sacrifice. “The Magi set out because of a deep desire which prompted them to leave everything and begin a journey. It was as though they had always been waiting for that star” (Pope Benedict XVI). |
